Sony WH-1000XM5 - how they (actually) are. 

I have both and can confirm that this is the most accurate review I have seen so far.

A good review, but you like most reviewers didn’t mention anything about the EQ in the app that lets you adjust the sound more to your liking.

It doesn’t look cheap at all, I like the minimalistic look.

I got the xm4 and the xm5 . The later are more comfortable and also the mics are amazing. The sound is pretty similar in both slightly better in the xm5.

I bought the XM5s. If you use a Windows PC, get these. Auto pause won't work with a PC and Airpods Max. Also, Airpods Max do not turn off unless you put them in the case. The Sony's will turn off automatically if you take them off and leave them alone for a while. Coming from the Bose QC35 iis, the Sony's have little to no "cabin pressure" which was very noticeable on the Bose.

I was about to go out right now to buy the XM5. I still want them over the AirPods max because tbh I don’t like the design over the traditional headset designs.

My XM4's broke at both stems. I think it was due to the articulation design mechanism that allows the XM4's to collapse or fold the way they do. It is a convenient feature but I am only upgrading to the XM5's because my XM4 stems both broke.

AirPods Max are the best I have every heard in terms of transparency mode. I have heard the new Sonys and they sound awesome. But not as good on transparency mode. If Apple would give us an equalizer but I know they never will.

I totally agree with your sound quality comparison to the AirPods Max. For the listening aspect of things, AiPods Max sounds much better but when it comes to making phone calls the AirPods are terrible, the person on the other end hears all the background noise but not me when I'm speaking. However, on the XM5 they hear little to no background noise, which is very important to me, as i work in and commute to NYC daily. I tested both and stuck with the XM5.

Interesting point of view. Anyway the AirPods Max with wire and Apple music lossless are incredibke.

Thanks for the review. I had the AirPods Max and returned them because they were not loud or as loud as I like. Instead I got a pair of Sony MDR 7506 and OneOdio A 30 for less than a quarter of the price combined of the AirPods Max. I am waiting for the fall 2022 Apple Event to see if they bring out another version of the AirPods Max that are less expensive or that they drop the price on the AirPods Max a lot. I did like them but the price i paid bothered me so I returned them. I also bought a Headphone audio amplifier that I can connect a wired set of headphone and listen louder and also can connect a bluetooth transmitter to make bluetooth louder on my wireless headphones. I tried this amplifier with my AirPods Max before returning them and it worked well but lost the spacial audio affect when done that way. Would love to get the XM5's but am undecided. Thanks again for the review. Oh, the music I listen to is Classic Rock (Beatles, Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Doors, etc).

Nice videos man been watching for years. Keep it up. 😊

Was waiting for you to review these!

Thanks for the info about the water resistance. Wasn’t aware about that. They sounds great and the noise cancelling is very good.

I have both but find the XM5's are a little shallower in the cup than the AirPods Max. With the Sony's my ears touch the back of the cup.

Hi Nikias! What’s up? I think I’ve arrived a bit late for this video, but anyway, great content and amazing video!

I was looking for a anc wireless headphones and this kinds of video review (*have watched a lot) really helps

I was attracted by the quality of the AirPods Max, but the bulk, weight and expense steered me to the Sonys.

Great review! This was a really in depth look into both headphones. Btw, I noticed you were wearing the headphones backwards on all of your shots.

I just got my xm5 and i think my noise cancellation not working so well i already tried literally everything

I love my Mark 5s, but transparency/ambient mode in leagues better on AirPods Max. It’s not even close.

I've just gone over to Android. So far so good. I like your videos

Most iconic bluetooth noise-cancelling headset by Sony, Inc. ever!!! 💖💖💖

Have you also compared them EQ'd with the airpods sound qualitiy wise? Think the default soundstage of the XM5 is not that great, however when you tweak the EQ they sound a lot better it's a night and day differnce IMHO.

When comparing the sound quality of these vis-a-vis the APM, you said so many words, yet described so little. All you said APM’s are louder, XM5’s are neutral, and then you repeated these words over and over again… Unfortunately, these words really don’t mean much. I’d say not the best review here.

how does the sony feels with shades on? does it feel uncomfortable or it still feels comfy

bittu from india ...... funny comment i am listening this video from sony mx5 headphones and in india i got 22000 rs in amazon app and very great headphones and good volume and very softtouch and good experience with this headphones.

Them not being water resistant isn’t a big deal really 1st gen airpods aren’t water resistant at all either and I’ve dropped mine in puddles, snow, a full sink and they’ve been through the wash and still work fine just don’t turn them on afterwards and ur okay. And unless ur sweat is pooling up in the ear cups there’s not much to worry abt

i have both of these headphones, but for me the AirPods Max has the edge on sound quality, looks and comfort which i was really surprised. at least for me the Sony's are very light but they feel more uncomfortable on my head/ears, compared to the AP Max for a long period of time. still a great pair of Head phones!!

Everytime I browse in their website, the naming scheme of sony just gives me headache. I don't care if there's meaning behind every products' name, it's just horrible. It definitely affects their marketing cuz it will confuse many people.

Another great video!! Love this style of real life reviews on your channel Nikias! Also love Spain so much!!

You think the Sony's sound neutral? What??

There is so much hype about Sony WH-1000XM5 , best noise cancellation etc etc. I tested this already . I still like apple AirPods max than the Sony. AirPods Max noise cancellation , sound and comfort is far more superior than the Sony according to my experience.

I watched a different review and they mentioned that the telescopic headband has become looser, so it doesn't keep the size firmly, did you notice the same thing with yours?

If you want super fantastic great transparency mode? Don't wear any headphones. It's built-in and free. If you want ANC, well there are certainly options for different build qualities, price points and comfortable designs. If you're consumer that's easily sold by marketing, good luck.

Idk what to get for everyday/all day music, those wh1000xm5 or airpods pro 2? I can only get one pair for now and i cant decide? Whats better for like travel, walking the dog and in house? Thank you

Awesome video kinda like the air pod max.

You don't mention that the Sonys have LDAC capability. Apple is stuck with AAC (even with their lossless files !) When wired the Sony sound is better and Sony can still function when the battery is flat. Apple sound is sucked out in the middle with limited eq. Mics sound electronic, weighs a ton and costs double the Sony.

These sucked and were so uncomfortable on the last trip I took! The Apple pair was so superior in every way and I mean every way. Reason it’s really hard to listen and take any RU-vidr seriously. This is his opinion and his opinion alone cause while maybe a honest review he may ( most likely ) be the only person who feels this way. Do yourself a favor and stick to the ecosystem, works so well and when I’ve followed it it’s been a dream. Every time I’ve broken out of a Samsung ecosystem it’s been a total let down. Same with my wife when she didn’t say with a brand of her phone it’s been so lackluster, Samsung isn’t going to my products a cater to Apple , why would they? Be yourself. Best way to be.

Hey Nikias! Best video as always ….. Love from India 🇮🇳 Please suggest me that should I go for macbook air m2 ?

thanks for the review vid, I got xm4 and when travelling on plane, when I unplug the cable, it will also turn the bluetooth/headphone off. (not sure if this can be tweaked on the app). Just wondering if xm5 behaves the same way? thx

I don’t think xm5 look cheap. Flexibele doesn’t mean cheap for me. I’m buying it for the best noise canceling so I don’t even mind sound quality.

Do xm5s have a physical bass like xm4s? Or is it audible bass we get in mid range headphones because they have smaller 30mm drivers compared to xm4s.

Do you have beep sound when you press the buttons in left earphone?

did the silver xm5 get dirtier with use in time? i dont know if i should go with black or silver

Will it be good for office work?

Airpods Max really aren't in the same category as flagship ANC travel headphones like the XM5 of NC 700. They're quintessential Apple products: Overpriced, form over function, ridiculously clunky and silly looking as a result of not valuing customer feedback on design. The XM5s sound "neutral" because they are good headphones. You have the option to tweak the sound via EQ if you actually want them to sound overly equalized like Airpods Max.

There is a problem with having a conversation in a "quiet" environment and a colleague is sitting 3 meters next to you and talking. Then the colleague's voice will be very clearly heard by the person you are talking to on the phone. Here, the Bose 700 is still the king !!!

Apple AirPods Max, is not waterproofing too.

I’ll stick with my Bose 700!

I prefer hi res headphones over Bluetooth and a dac player .

Great review. But I can tell it caters to using with only an apple device. Using android you can update the sound quality by using higher frequency codecs like hi-res Ldac. So sound might not sound neutral if your using another device. Might sound better. Just mentioning it since it was not mentioned here.

Nikias, greetings from India. Your new house interiors look amazing. Give us a new house tour. Keep up the great videos!

Great video!!! ❤️

This video is more beautiful visually than informative. So which genre sounds better on Sony and which one does better on Airpods? Which one has better bass performance? After watching this video I got the idea that Sony xm4 is the best in this case cause they are foldable and the case footprint is smaller.

cy?😀

Awesome, video

I don’t like how the XM5 ear cups don’t pivot to lie flat like the AirPods Max do. That’s why the case is so freakin huge.

kle xar

First 💛